Accused Aussie killer's wrathful encounter with a woman after a motorbike accident weeks before he allegedly strangled Thai teen: 'King Kong'

By WILLIAM TON, DUNCAN MURRAY AND DARIO PIGNATELLI FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 03:19, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 03:28, 2 July 2026 Three weeks before an Australian man allegedly murdered a 17-year-old Thai teenager, another woman faced his wrath following a motorbike accident. Simon Peter Carman was arrested at Bangkok's main international airport on Friday while allegedly attempting to leave the country on a Jetstar flight bound for Perth. The 45-year-old was detained after the body of teenager Tunchanok Donhomla was found in a suitcase dumped next to a railway in the popular tourist destination of Pattaya, south of Bangkok. Khanittha Thongsuknmag said she crossed paths with the alleged killer on June 5 when they were involved in a motorbike accident outside the apartment complex where they were both staying. Recounting their interactions following the accident, she described a man as 'King Kong'. 'He was angry, angry,' the 53-year-old said. Messages between the pair, seen by AAP, show Carman telling Thongsuknmag to 'buy me a wheelchair now ... or I will make sure big trouble'. When Ms Thongsuknmag tried to apologise and told him her insurance would cover the costs, he called her 'stupid and dopey', according to the WhatsApp exchange. Khanittha Thongsuknmag (pictured) said she crossed paths with alleged killer Simon Carman on June 5 when they were involved in a motorbike accident outside the apartment complex where they were both staying Carman is accused of the murder of 17-year-old Thai teenager Tunchanok Donhomla Ms Donhomla (pictured) was strangled in an apartment near Beach Road vice strip in Pattaya 'I have to see specialist in Pattaya. I need taxi!! You can pay, you evil B***H,' another message said. Ms Thongsuknmag said she paid Carman 2,000 baht ($A87) at the behest of police, but he continued to demand more money for a wheelchair. 'I blocked his number,' she said. Her boyfriend Andro said they were in disbelief when news broke of Carman being the suspect in Tunchanok's death. CCTV from the early hours of Thursday morning showed Carman and the teenager returning to his apartment hand-in-hand. It was there that she was strangled, police allege.  Footage later captured him allegedly leaving the property alone while pulling a large suitcase. The complex is minutes from Pattaya's Jomtien beach, a popular tourist area known for its watersports and nightlife. Ms Thongsuknmag said she paid Carman 2,000 baht ($A87) at the behest of police, but he continued to demand more money for a wheelchair  CCTV of the night allegedly showed Carman holding hands with Ms Donhomla  Hours later, CCTV captured him leaving the hotel with a black suitcase Locals said Carman often frequented a billiard bar in the Rimhad Jomtien block where he lived, but he never drank while there. A woman at a restaurant, who asked not to be named over fear of the impact on her business, said she cooked food for him almost every day and noticed a big scar behind his head. Carman told her he had surgery for a brain tumour, she said, and that was the reason for his slow speech and gait. In the early hours of Saturday morning, police recovered the suitcase off a remote road near the Four Regions Water Market and discovered Tunchanok's naked body inside. A handful of flowers lay in the overgrown grass down an embankment where the suitcase was found, with a water bottle and three bowls of food laid nearby. Blue medical gloves and swab wrappers were strewn close to the busy road above. Police footage showed the Ballarat-born man, who had visible scratch marks on his neck and arms, expressing regret to the girl's family. 'I feel bad for what happened to your daughter - it was out of my control,' he said. 'It shouldn't happen. Please tell other girls just to be careful.' Separate footage showed him denying that he killed the teenager. Carman could face life in prison or the death penalty if found guilty. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said he would likely have avoided the possibility of facing the death penalty if he had successfully boarded his flight back. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing Carman consular assistance. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.